Initiation of Healers in Ethiopia: A Case Study

Abstract

The aim of this study is to see how healers are initiated in Ethiopia. The paper also describes the position of traditional healers in the current situation of Ethiopia.

It is found out that most of spiritual healers believed that they are selected by divine power or spirit. The selections are manifested by a single or a combination of ways namely: through dream, escaping mortal accident, and miraculous healing from chronic illnesses. However, secular healers got the initiation through apprenticeship. It is noted that in many cases spirit selected healers could also undergo apprenticeship.

Keywords: apprenticeship, Ethiopia, healer, illness, initiation

JEL Classification: I10, I18, I19